One of victims in Puerto Rico crash sues Artman, driver

One of the victims in the Puerto Rico crash that killed one person over two weeks ago is now suing Artman Environment Corp. for damages, including future loss of earnings and medical expenses.

Rommel Irang is suing Artman and its driver, Eduardo Fabia, in Superior Court for reckless, careless, and negligent driving. Irang also asked the court for mandatory mediation among the parties. In the event the mandatory mediation is unsuccessful, Irang wants a jury trial.

Fabia has already been arrested and is due to be arraigned on Feb. 25 at the Marianas Business Plaza courtroom.

Irang was one of the two passengers of the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck that collided with an Artman garbage compactor truck collector driven by Fabia on Feb. 1, 2021, at the Puerto Rico-Middle Road intersection.

Irang sustained serious injuries, while the other passenger, Raju Miah, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The two passengers were on the bed of the silver Honda Ridgeline and were thrown out of the vehicle during the collision.

According to the lawsuit, on or about Feb. 1, 2021, Irang was a passenger on the bed of the pickup that Quin Manglona was driving when the accident happened. The lawsuit states that Manglona was driving north and came to a complete stop at the traffic light intersection on Middle Road in Puerto Rico, with the intent to turn left toward the marina. When the left arrow turned green, he proceeded to enter the intersection. At that same time and in the same area, Fabia was driving an Artman-owned truck headed south when he allegedly ran the red light and hit Manglona’s vehicle in the intersection.

The lawsuit also alleges that Fabia was driving faster than the posted speed limit of 45mph and that Fabia increased his speed as he approached the intersection, so that he was driving at a speed above 50 miles per hour when he entered the intersection.

“Without exercising caution and due care, [Fabia] violently struck Manglona’s vehicle, causing serious personal injuries to [me] and total loss to Manglona’s vehicle. Prior to the collision, Fabia never applied his brakes,” Irang said in his suit.

As a result of Fabia’s recklessness, carelessness and negligence plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer intense and excruciating pain, serious physical injuries, emotional and mental anguish and distress, and diminished quality of life and has suffered and will continue to suffer economic damages and non-economic damages.

Fabia’s employer, Artman Environment Corp., is being sued for vicarious liability.

Soon after the fatal accident, Fabia and his passenger in the garbage truck were released at the scene, only for Fabia to be arrested a few days later.

According to court documents, Fabia was originally charged with traffic signal violation, false report, and homicide by vehicle. During last Thursday’s hearing, the charge for false report was dismissed. (With Neil Fama)